The Junior Pan American Games are not only a space for competition among the continent’s youngest athletes, they also aim to leave a lasting mark on the region. That is how Jimena Saldaña, Secretary General of Panam Sports, put it: “The most important thing may be the legacy in terms of infrastructure for the region, but above all because it will strongly support our continent.”

Saldaña emphasized the role of the venues as drivers of sports development. “We now have great facilities that adapt very well to the country’s needs, but also become a very important center for the countries of the region that can come here to participate,” she stated.

In this context, she recalled the impact of the training camps held ahead of the Asunción 2025 Junior Games. “We brought together more than 1,000 official athletes in several sports, not only those included in the event. This has been a great boost for the athletes who are here today giving their best,” she affirmed.

The value for children: “Something awakens in them”

The sports leader stressed the importance of the effect competitions have on young audiences. “If you see the children and young people who have had the chance to attend, something awakens in them: these dreams, this desire to practice sports or to become stars in a particular discipline,” she explained.

She added that this impact “has great value for the country and for the region, because when there is greater sports participation and athletes find their place in high performance, this strengthens the federations, the committees, and therefore also Panam Sports as an organization.”

The ‘Lounge’, the Games’ alternative to the Village

Regarding the organization, Saldaña acknowledged that “the Junior Games do not have a Village, we housed the athletes and delegations in hotels, trying to ensure that everyone had the same level of comfort.” Even so, she highlighted that the proximity of the venues was key: “Since the facilities were so close, we were able to gather everyone within a very comfortable radius, and that allowed the athletes to arrive more relaxed and rested.”

The greatest challenge, she pointed out, was creating spaces for interaction. “Normally, in a Village athletes live together and a sense of community grows. Here we didn’t have that, so we came up with the ‘Lounge’, tents where they could rest, hydrate, socialize and even participate in interactive games or talks with fellow athletes.”

“A model of togetherness to be repeated”

The Panam Sports Secretary General highlighted the positive feedback from participants: “Many athletes have come to thank us because these spaces became places where they could not only rest, but also share with others and enjoy the full experience of the Games.”

Finally, she assured that this initiative will guide future editions. “This model of togetherness we are going to repeat in the Pan American Games and the Junior Pan American Games,” she concluded.